This is the perfect size for the living space that has to have a desk.  With it’s splash of colour and a fold-out front, the Remix is groovy looking and there is plenty of room for the laptop and a notebook.  Even folded out it would be great for the sewing machine.  If the brights are not for you, then it comes in a gloss black with crisp white containers.   Perhaps it’s good news that you can only get it overseas as it’s rather pricey at NZ$2700.

I discovered this image today that inspired todays post.  At one stage I was fancying the famous LC6, but the elliptical black steel frame was just too sterile and bold looking for my taste.  If I had spotted this version in a beautiful pale blue, then it could be sitting in my dining room today. You can get this colour overseas, but should you like one in your own bespoke colour, the people at Homage here in Auckland can get it done for you.

Ok, this is fortuitous. Remember my post on my favourite lounge suite The Mah-Jong Sofa by Della Robbia – well the Australian company Noosh have come up with what I think is the most clever example of it, but for children.  My idea for a hash-up of it seems terribly humble now! Each piece can be purchased separately and they have a range of fabric choices for each seating option. Best part is, they do ship internationally.  The ottoman is AUD$150 and the chairs AUD$249 and AUD$279, plus shipping.

Aren’t these beds so inviting.  I just cannot make a choice between the two; the soft heavenly edges on the Big Bed, and the fine, simple lines of the Tully.  These are what I would choose for the Master bed and spare room – should lotto swing my way!

The first image is the Big Bed by Poliform.  You can choose which side the ‘side table’ is on; it has a tip-up bed, plus it comes in your choice of fabric or leather and comes in a Queen or King. I have not been able to find the price anywhere online, so if you know it, send me a note….though I am guessing close to ‘a trillion dollars’ as my six year old loves to say!

The other is called Tully by Jesse Furniture and you can buy it from Fanuli Furniture in Australia, plus it’s available in the UK and US.  It comes in a Euro or Super King and your choice of fabric or leather, also you can choose between two types of feet.  To buy it in the UK, it’s about £2000 (NZ$4000).  However I would expect a good mark-up bought in Australia.

Roche Bobois sells the Mah-Jong Sofa designed by Hans Hopfer and it’s my dream second-living-room suite.  However, at about US$700-$1000 per sectional, (about US$12,000 for a decent size  unit) this is never going to happen.

Anyway, I squealed with delight the other day looking through our Ezibuy catalogue, only to find cushions that you could DIY into something similar for your sons or daughters room……or for, yes, the game room….perfect for Mah-Jong.  Get it here while you can, they are on sale for a very reasonable NZ$19.95. They are of course much smaller so that’s why it would be great in the corner of your kids room – an ode to the real thing would suffice I think.

Watercolour is one of my favourite things…and once again I have found another beautiful example.  The Juhannustaika design for Marimekko comes as a tray side table.  It measures 26″ (66cm) in diameter and costs a cool US$195, plus the stand US$188 – about NZ$500 plus shipping.  If it’s the print that you love more, then a piece of fabric would be cheaper; and even as a large punchy pattern, it doesn’t overwhelm you with it’s brightness……so stunning.  Get Marimekko all-sorts right here.

W Hotels Retreat & Spa on Vieques Island is a super stunning spot near Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.  The interiors have been designed by Patricia Urquiola and it is gorgeous.  Click here to see them in more detail.

We have been looking at buying a home for a while since our return from Australia, and so the hunting continues.  While clicking my way through quite a few pics, I saw this beauty in Devonport on the North Shore in Auckland.  It is sooo me.  The colour, the furniture, the kitchen, all of it.  It’s for sale if you like it and to view more images click here.  The current owner and renovater is an interior designer, so it’s no wonder the place rocks! It’s also been in a couple of home magazines, so enjoy.

Hidden Bed, a company in New Zealand has the license for this great bed that smoothly pulls down over your desk to accommodate that extra person, or it would be a handy option for a studio apartment or dorm room. I saw them at the mall and had a go at transforming it…..super light and easy to change, plus you can even leave your glass of water without a spill and your laptop open.  You could also use the desk as a play area….set up with the train-set in a childs room.

There is an option of king single or double and you also have five different finish options – from white to jarrah laminate, plus extra shelving.  The cost for a king single is NZ$4000.00 while the Double is NZ$4400.00; that includes mattress, installation and GST.  Take a look at their website right here.

This picture inspired my post this afternoon.  I stumbled into Bloesem kids and found delightful wallpaper on the back of the closet. Usually the very beautiful wallpapers cost loads, so this is a brilliant way to use a little bit and not go bankrupt.  Stores often have left over rolls or off-cuts and sell them cheaply, so it’s worth checking.   The wallpaper on the back of this Ikea shelf is by Boras Tapeter in Sweden, called Linne 3308.  Sim Wallcoverings in Auckland may stock it, or they could order it in for you. Go get your DIY gloves on and get papering – it makes such a difference to a dull area.

This would be a fun way to store books and soft toys in Miss 1′s room.  It’s made of powder-coated metal and is a weighty 22.5kg; stands 2.1m high and 1.5m wide by 20cm deep – so quite large.  The Tree Shelf designed by Shawn Soh is not for sale yet, but I am sure it won’t be long.  I could just picture a teepee right next to it!

via [Inhabitat]

Loving this chair – the wood really warms this up without it looking like a bargain store find.  The Magis Steelwood chair is made with a white steel frame and natural beech legs and seat, and comes in a few different variations. However, it costs loads – you can buy it from Nest in the UK for NZ$704 plus NZ$170 shipping.  Definitely not a bargain store find!

We have a great bed – the Anna by Ligne Roset (first image), but with all our moving around, it’s not really built for it all.  It’s heavy, heavy heavy!   I have found our next bed though, the Nook by Blu Dot is now available in Australia through Interstudio. I know they’re quite similar, but I love a padded rounded edge to a bed so I don’t bust my shins when stumbling around to get to the children at night.  It also means we may one day get a great looking, lighter bed to shift from place to place.

Glass is everywhere in my house.  I love it because it gives the illusion of space.  Cleaning it hasn’t been as bad as I thought, even with two kids.  The vinegar and water mix just sits in the cupboard under the bench with a cloth ready to go.  Though my sisters have said they wouldn’t do it after watching me shine mine after nearly every meal!  Each to their own…

After spying this coffee table, I want to replace ours; it’s not going to happen though as they are not available down-under, so just may have to dream about owning it.  The best thing about the Tetra by Della Robbia is the groovy colourful seating that comes with it.  When we all need to cram around and draw, glue and make cut-outs this would be perfect.  Also Miss 9mths old could walk around the ottoman rather that the table and not sweep everything off the table.  If you live in the US, you’re in luck, click here to find a store or stockist near you.

‘Chop Stick’ is a clothes hanger designed by Andreas Saxer.  Inspired by the traditional methods of Japanese wood joinery, and of course, chop sticks.  Only four wooden sticks are loosely joined with a sleek aluminum pole and apparently this loose system becomes very stable with heavy clothing.  I like the idea that you can move it around your home, and if you are a flatter, then it’s the easiest thing to move with you.

Can’t seem to find it anywhere to purchase, but if you are handy with a skill-saw and sander, you may like to try your hand at making a set.

What a great piece of simple furniture.  The Tschutschu designed by Dominik Lutz can perform as a bench, stage or table and the stage walls are painted with chalk paint. The base of the stage floor is painted as a railway system, but the ideas are endless depending on what your child is interested in. Because this is way over in Germany and is NZ$416 without shipping, I had thought it would make a great weekend DIY.   It’s made from Birch Plywood and measures: W 94 cm x D 47 x H 47, seat height 31.5 cm, table height 47 cm, height 20 cm.  Go get your tool belt on boys…or girls.

via [Ohdeedoh]

I didn’t come home till 2am thismorning from the childrens hospital as Miss 5.5mths had an allergic reaction to her first taste of solids!  So I picked these two images to uplift and inspire.  The desk makes me want to DIY and the flowers I would love on my table right now.

via [Desire To Inspire] & [Design Sponge]

Homage in Newmarket, Auckland has just had a new shipment of furniture arrive, so go take a look as soon as you can. They have a great range of iconic mid century reproduction furniture, plus a range for your little ones also.  You can download their catalogue here for a look at what’s available and better yet, they are super helpful at making sure you get just the right piece for your home – even if it means taking a couple of pieces home.

Over at Desire To Inspire, I came across these pics, plus more of some of the most inspiring and colourful interiors.  The man behind the lens is Mark Lund, who’s website sends you into major time wasting territory just looking at all the great photos.  He also has a blog with updates of his current work and cool snaps of his beautiful family.